Sutton: More curiosity develops about Clemson after N.C. State game

Published: Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 01:33 AM.

RALEIGH — Clemson looked rather pedestrian on the national stage Thursday night against North Carolina State.

The debate about whether N.C. State’s Bryan Underwood stepped out of bounds and the fallout from that on-field ruling can rage on — and Wolfpack fans won’t likely let it fade.

Others will be more curious about whether Clemson, which is ranked third in the country, is all that it’s cracked up to be.

“Glad to get that one over,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “The goal is to be 3-0 right now and that’s right where we are. … I don’t think you ever know everything about your team until you go on the road. I’m really proud of our guys and how they competed.”

Clemson showed something different in the 26-14 victory, keeping N.C. State’s offense in check. Granted, this is an offense that’s rotating quarterbacks after the season-opening starter went out with an injury and a unit that displayed funky formations.

Still, it was something different for the Tigers, too, who’ve built their recent reputation on offensive firepower.

“It’s great to win on defense,” Swinney said. “I thought our defense was the difference in the game, especially when the offense wasn’t clicking early on.”

RALEIGH — Clemson looked rather pedestrian on the national stage Thursday night against North Carolina State.

The debate about whether N.C. State’s Bryan Underwood stepped out of bounds and the fallout from that on-field ruling can rage on — and Wolfpack fans won’t likely let it fade.

Others will be more curious about whether Clemson, which is ranked third in the country, is all that it’s cracked up to be.

“Glad to get that one over,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “The goal is to be 3-0 right now and that’s right where we are. … I don’t think you ever know everything about your team until you go on the road. I’m really proud of our guys and how they competed.”

Clemson showed something different in the 26-14 victory, keeping N.C. State’s offense in check. Granted, this is an offense that’s rotating quarterbacks after the season-opening starter went out with an injury and a unit that displayed funky formations.

Still, it was something different for the Tigers, too, who’ve built their recent reputation on offensive firepower.

“It’s great to win on defense,” Swinney said. “I thought our defense was the difference in the game, especially when the offense wasn’t clicking early on.”

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd had a rather ordinary outing. That said, he threw for three touchdowns and didn’t commit a turnover, so that that would stack up well in many places.

N.C. State stood firm for a large portion of the game. That did little to appease first-year coach Dave Doeren.

“It’s not a moral victory by any means,” Doeren said. “We do not accept losing here, but I’m proud of the way we competed.”

N.C. State knocked off Top 10 opponents at home the past two years, toppling Clemson in 2011 and stunning Florida State in 2012. While the Wolfpack knows upsets, it barely sniffed one on this night after Underwood’s long run turned quite a bit shorter.

Whether Clemson can make a long run near the top of the national rankings might be the next key question.

In the big picture, a double-digit victory on the road might look appealing by the time this shakes out. And coming against an N.C. State team that could be in line to win eight or nine games given its uninspiring schedule, that would give more credence to Thursday night’s exercise.